Spain ‘not good enough’ after early World Cup exit

Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance during the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

RIO DE JANEIRO >> Spain’s players had different explanations for the team’s early World Cup exit.

Captain Iker Casillas said there was lack of commitment, midfielder Xabi Alonso thought there wasn’t enough hunger. Fernando Torres says Spain was “just not good enough.”

Chile’s 2-0 victory on Wednesday meant the 2010 World Cup champions are the first title holder to exit after just two games following the opening 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.

Spain’s squad of 23 players featured 16 who were part of its World Cup success in South Africa. Casillas, Alonso and Xavi Hernandez had been the engine behind the team’s triumphs on the world stage, but were left exposed in Brazil.

Alonso says changes should come as the era “of joy and success we’ve experienced is over.”